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Roused by this calamity, the Christians, in shame and indignation, within four days assembled all their forces, and again encountered the pagan army at a place called

Escesdun [ASHDOWN,] which means the "Hill of the Ash." The pagans had divided themselves into two

bodies, and began to prepare defences, for they had two kings and many earls, so

they gave half of the army to the two kings, and the other half to all their earls. Which the Christians perceiving, divided their army also into two troops, and also began to construct defences. But Alfred

And after 4 days, king Adelred and his brother Alfred fought again at Escesdune, against all their army which had been divided into 2 parts. In one division

were the pagan kings Basreg and Aldene, against whom fought king Edelred, and he slew king Basreg: in the other division were the pagan consuls, against whom fought Alfred the king's brother,

marched up promptly with his men to give

them battle; for king Æthered remained a long time in his tent in prayer, hearing the mass, and said that he would not leave it, till the priest had done, or abandon the divine protection for that of men. And he did so too, which afterwards availed him much with the Almighty, as we shall declare more fully in the sequel.

Now the Christians had determined that king Æthered, with his men, should attack the two pagan kings, but that his brother Ælfred, with his troops, should take the chance of war against all the earls. Things being so arranged, the king remained a long time in prayer, and the pagans came up rapidly to fight. Then Alfred, though possessing a subordinate authority, could no longer support the troops of the enemy, unless he retreated or charged upon them with out waiting for his brother. At length he bravely led his troops against the hostile army, as they had before arranged, but without awaiting his brother's arrival; for he relied in the divine counsels, and forming his men into a dense pha

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cutting down the enemy before and behind, the pagans on the other hand cut them down also; resisting with hostile rage. But, alas! oh grief! the enemies of the English that day obtained the victory.

Ethelwlf, also, of Berkshire, who before had raged as a lion in battle, then fell with the rest of the faithful in Christ.

The English people, stung with grief and shame, implored the aid of the angels, that they would deign to grant them the assistance of the divine support.

Again then, after 4 days, they lead their troops against the aforesaid enemies; they seize their arms, and post their legions at a place called Etscesdun, which may reverently be interpreted in the Latin tongue MONS FRAXINI "The Ash-Mount." There, famous men, and brave in battle, come forth to fight with all their force and with full good will. The Danes also, cunning as they are, dividing themselves into two bands, fight bravely with their men. They also had two kings and many dukes, who, using caution, gave half of the army to the two kings, and half to all the dukes. The English, perceiving this, themselves also appoint two bodies, and form machines and defences of warriors. But king Elfred goes forth with his legions most readily to battle, knowing without a doubt, that victory would not lie with a multitude of men, but in the pity and mercy of God. King Ethelred, also, was in his tent at prayer, zealously hearing the mass, and the things which are of God. These holy mysteries were of much benefit to the king and the Christian people, as will be shewn in sequel.

Now the Christian people and the English had devoutly

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But here I must inform those

Ethelwerd 871

BROMPTON. When mass was

dred hastened speedily into the battle. And although the Danes had pre-occupied the higher position his Christians from below, and deof a mountain, he went up with feated his enemies, and with the lance which he carried in his hand, he manfully slew their king Oseg, and deprived of life another king with the sword which he, bore at his side.

who are ignorant of the fact, fully ended, the aforesaid king Ethelthat the field of battle was not equally advantageous to both parties. The pagans occupi ed the higher ground, and the Christians came up from below. There was also a single thorn-tree, of stunted growth, but we have ourselves never seen it. Around this tree the opposing armies came together with loud shouts from all sides, the one party to pursue their wicked course, the other to fight for their lives, their dearest ties, and their country. And when both armies had fought long and bravely, at last the pagans, by the divine judgment, were no longer able to bear the attacks of the Christians, and having lost great part of their army, took to a disgraceful flight. One of their two kings, and five earls were there slain, together with many thousand pagans, who fell on all sides, covering with their bodies the whole plain of Ashdown.*

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lanx, marched on at once to meet the foe.

At length king Æthered, having finished his prayers, came up, and, having invoked the great Ruler of the world,

plunged into the fight. But here I must inform those who are ignorant of the fact, that the field of battle was not equally advantageous to both parties. The pagans occupied the higher ground, and the Christians came up from below. There was also a single thorn-tree, of stunted growth.

Around this tree the opposing armies came together with loud shouts from all sides, the one party to pursue their wicked course, the other to fight for their lives, their dearest ties, and their country. And when both armies had fought long and bravely, at last the pagans, by the divine judgment, were no longer able to bear the attacks of the Christians, and having lost great part of their army took to a disgraceful flight. One of their two kings, and five earls were there slain, together with many thousand pagans, who fell on all sides, covering with their bodies the whole plain of

Ashdown.

There fell in that battle king Bagsegc, earl Sidroc the elder and earl Sidroc the younger, earl Osbearn, earl Freana, and earl Harald; and the whole pagan army pursued its flight, not only until the night but until the next day, even until they reached the stronghold from which they had sallied.

Essays

but

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made up their minds to wage war bravely against their enemies, and that the brave king Ethelred, should fight with his myriads against the legions of the princes, namely one king of the English against two of the Danes: king Elfred, with his dukes, fellow-soldiers, satraps, and people, was to take the lot of war, as had been determined, against all the dukes of the pagans. These things having been arranged on both sides, whilst king Ethelred was delaying a long time in prayer, and the pagans, ready for battle, had come quickly up to the place of deadly strife, Elfred, at that time second in the kingdom, was not able any longer to bear the hostile troops, unless he got the better of them either by battle or by death. On a sudden, starting up in his valour, he rushed with the holy squadrons of the English on the assembled multitudes of the Danes, the king came sheathed in arms and in prayer, who seeing that his brother's army was beautifully drawn up, went forth like a warlike Judas to the battle. They fought on both sides with manly intent, and fell there by fifties, by hundreds, and by thousands. Those who fell for their country, were carried, as we may believe, to the country of eternal happiness: but the others were carried to him of whom it is said, that "He is the head of all iniquity." The kings not only exhorted their brave people with words, but also cut down their enemies with warlike valour. At last the Danes, seeing that the troops of their allies had fallen, were disturbed, were astonished, and were shaken; and boundless fear took hold of them. For the Danes were stricken with terror within their hearts, and no longer able to bear the attacks of the English in the engagement. They took to a disgraceful flight, and throwing away their swords, held out their right hands, and asked for peace. The kings, stretching out their swords, with difficulty appeased their warlike people. The vulgar herd ran this way and that way, and the English people pursued them throughout the whole day. Many thousands were slain on that day, whose death the pious kings beholding, gave boundless thanks to

And he slew 5 consuls, Sid-
roc the elder, and Sidroc the
younger, and Osbearn and
Frena and Harolde: and
their army was put to flight,
and many thousands slain;
and the battle lasted until the
night.

7

God, who had given them such a palm of victory on that day. There, also, fell king Bergsecg and these dukes with him: that old earl Sidroc, to whom may be applied that saying THE ANCIENT OF EVIL DAYS. There fell, also, duke Sidroc the younger, and duke Osbern, duke Frana, and duke Harald, with their troops, who, choosing the broad and spa cious way, went down into the depths of the lake. They knew not the way of teaching nor understood its paths: it was kept far away from their faces.

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And about two months after this, king Æthered and Ælfred his brother fought against the army at Meretun; and they were in two bodies, and they put both to flight, and

during a great part of the day that place [MERTON] a tyrant of the were victorious; and there was great slaughter on either hand; but the Danes had possession of the place of carnage.

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BROMPTON. And then from Danes named Somerled, marching as far as Reading destroyed the city and all he found there. After this, Etheldred king of the West-Saxons fought with him, and having been there mortally wounded died on the 9th before the calends of May [AP. 23] in the 5th year of his reign, and was buried at Wymburn.

* MATT WESTM. Hamund bishop of Sherborne, to whom succeeded Ethelhege.

After this battle, another army came from beyond the sea, and joined them.

The same year, after Easter, the aforesaid king Æthered, having bravely, honourably, and with good repute, governed his kingdom five years, through much tribulation, went the way of all flesh, and was buried in Winborne Minster, where he awaits the coming of the Lord, and the first resurrection with the just.

Furthermore, after 2 months the aforesaid king Æthered renewed the battle, and with him was his brother Alfred, at Merantune [MERTON], against all the army of the barbarians, and a large number was slain on both sides : the barbarians obtained the victory.

Bishop Heahmund there fell by the sword, and his body lies buried at Cægineshamme [KEYNSHAM]. Many others also fell or fled in that battle, concerning whom it seems to be a loss of time to speak more minutely at present. 10 There came a summerarmy innumerable to Reading and were eager to fight against the army of the West-Angles : to their aid also came those who had already long time been ravaging.

1 Lastly, after the above-mentioned battle, and after the Easter of the same year, died king Ethered, from whose family I derive my origin.

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Huntingdon

Again, after 14 days, king
Adelred and his brother Al-
fred fought with the army at
Basing, and the Danes con-
quered.

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When this glorious battle was ended, the kings, and all their people were filled with immense joy, seeing the flight of the Danes and the

bravery of the English. After the lapse of 14 days, the excellent king Ethelred, not knowing that the year of jubilee brings with it forgiveness, aided by the trusty help of his brother, got together his army, gathered his spoils, and distributed arms and many gifts to his fellow-soldiers. Those leaders of the people knew for certain that commonwealths will be safe, if those who study wisdom rule them, or if those who rule them study wisdom. Again the Danes and English were gathered together for battle, and when their utmost fury had been put forth, the pagans almost gained the victory.

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